Judge weighs Ireland's self-defense claim

Jessi Flowers, The Moultrie Observer, Ga.
·2 min read

Apr. 24—MOULTRIE — The second and final day for Katelyn Ireland's motion for immunity concluded Wednesday; however, a ruling has not yet been given.

Facing a felony murder charge for the death of Jason "Chad" McCollum, Ireland has claimed self-defense from the day of the incident: Dec. 17, 2022.

Ireland is a friend of McCollum's wife, Chantel, and was staying at the couple's house to support Chantel and her children after her separation from Chad.

According to testimony during the hearing, McCollum arrived at the residence on Almond Road that day to remove final possessions, but when it came time to remove items from the shed an altercation began.

Witnesses gave conflicting recounts regarding the extent of Chantel's injuries from that altercation and about the involvement of Chantel McCollum's eldest son in trying to assist his mother.

During this altercation, Ireland stepped into the doorframe of the back door of the main house with a pistol in her right hand.

Realizing she was standing there, Chad turned his attention from his wife to Ireland.

Moving toward Ireland, Chad began advancing up the L-shaped ramp, witnesses said.

The second most discussed portion of the hearing is what happened once Chad reached the turning point of the ramp. Several witnesses offered their recollections of the moments leading up to the gunshot and the moments immediately afterward.

After Ireland shot her pistol, McCollum staggered back down the ramp, past Chantel and her son, to the front yard, where he eventually collapsed.

Ireland placed the call to 911 as she approached McCollum, who was now gasping for air on the ground. He was pronounced dead later that night at the hospital.

Judge Brian McDaniel listened to 10 different testimonies as the prosecutor April Hancock and defense attorney Dustin Land took turns questioning those who were called up to the stands. Each meticulously recounted their connection to what happened back on Dec. 17, 2022 and their involvement in the case.

McDaniel is expected to take several weeks before issuing his ruling, which will determine if Ireland's case is considered self-defense or if it will proceed to a trial.